2 German ex-soldiers convicted of forming mercenary troops

Two former German soldiers have been given suspended sentences for attempting to form a mercenary force to fight in Yemen's ongoing civil war, reported dpa.

Stuttgart's Higher Regional Court (OLG) sentenced the man behind the failed scheme and his accomplice on Monday to 18 and 14 months in prison, respectively.

Both sentences were suspended and the two men have been put on probation for two years.

According to the court, the two ex-soldiers attempted to create a mercenary group of up to 150 members consisting of both former and active soldiers.

Among other things, they aimed to capitalize on a multi-billion euro market with their illegal military force.

State officials said a successful attempt would have constituted a terrorist organization.

Germany's federal prosecution office noted the significance of the decision, saying the court set a precedent for Germans to be held liable for prosecution for participating in military combat abroad.

Prior to their arrests in Munich last year, the two men, 53 and 61 years old, had unsuccessfully tried to contact the Saudi Arabian government, a potential investor.

Still, "the defendants achieved nothing at all," said the presiding judge on Monday.

Federal prosecution and defence lawyers waived an appeal, finalizing the verdict.

One of the poorest countries in the world, Yemen has been plagued by civil war for eight years. Saudi Arabia has been fighting alongside the Yemeni government since 2015 against the Houthi armed movement, which controls large parts of the north.